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COLIN KAEPERNICK: If Kaepernick follows a poor performance with another against a bad team, he’ll unleash the “Put in Alex Smith” chorus. Particularly since Smith has been excellent against Arizona. In the last game, Smith completed 18 of 19 passes for 232 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions and 157.1 passer rating. Kaepernick also needs to handle the play transmission, and if he doesn’t at home against a poor team, that’s not good. Kaepernick also needs to justify why he was chosen to start over Smith, and that will include throwing deep well and handling the offense smoothly.

RUNNING GAME: One of the many offensive changes made under Kaepernick is a running game that functions out of the shotgun. It limits the team’s creativity and versatility. Since Kaepernick has become the starter, running back Frank Gore has yet to rush for more than 83 yards in any game. In December, Gore’s yards per carry average has dropped 3.7 yards per carry. The question is will the 49ers go back to putting Kaepernick under center and revise the traps and counters in which Gore excels, or will they continue to run Gore out of the shotgun where he hasn’t been as effective? The 49ers need to decide what strategy will be most applicable for the playoffs.

CARLOS ROGERS: The team’s best cover man struggled last week in the slot against former Stanford Cardinal star Doug Baldwin, after he shut out Wes Welker in the first half in New England. Now he’ll draw Larry Fitzgerald, who sometimes plays and in the slot and lines up frequently against the starting left cornerback. The 49ers need to shut down the holes in the secondary that emerged last week in Seattle.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The one thing the Cardinals can do is cover. Cornerback Patrick Peterson has seven picks and fellow corner William Gay is a solid veteran. Wide receivers failed to get open in Seattle and need to work open today. Also, this could be the coming out for rookie A.J. Jenkins, who has yet to have a pass thrown his way. The 49ers need to groom an effective third receiver and today is open tryouts for Jenkins, Ted Ginn Jr, and may be even LaMichael James, who displayed good hands and route running in Seattle.

ALDON SMITH: The Cardinals have given up 56 sacks this season, by far the most in the league. Smith will face D’Anthony Bastile, who Smith should absolutely dominate. He needs confidence in playing without Justin Smith as the team heads into the playoffs.

PROGRAM NOTE: I will be tweeting (@klynch49) throughout the game along with Eric Branch, Ann Killion and Scott Osler (@eric_branch @annkillion, @scottosler) I will also attempt to throw two posts per quarter.